Kentucky Derby Cheat Sheet: Runner-by-Runner Guide & Odds
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is set for Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, with a high-quality field contesting this year’s Run for the Roses.
The official field has been determined following the end of the prep series, but the betting between now and post time is likely to fluctuate, meaning that it is important to get clued up on the Kentucky Derby horses ahead of making selections.
You can find out everything you need to know about this year’s contenders in our handy runner-by-runner guide.
Kentucky Derby Horses 2026
Commandment
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Brad Cox |
| Career Record | 5 Starts: 4 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 150 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +550 |
Brad Cox holds a strong hand in his bid to win a second Kentucky Derby, beginning with Florida Derby winner Commandment. The three-year-old by Into Mischief won a high-quality prep at Gulfstream, besting both The Puma and Chief Wallabee, achieving the second-best Beyer Speed Figure of 101 in this year’s race. Also landed the G2 Fountain of Youth in February, and has winning Churchill Downs experience after winning a maiden in November. Comes out on top based on the Kentucky Derby trends.
Further Ado
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Brad Cox |
| Career Record | 6 Starts: 3 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 135 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +450 |
Further Ado catapulted to the top of the Kentucky Derby betting after recording a career-best 106 Beyer in the Blue Grass. The manner of victory was eye-catching, putting eleven lengths between himself and the field. Also has winning experience at Churchill Downs, besting Universe by a length in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club last November. However, was beaten by The Puma in the G3 Tampa Bay Derby, and is sired by Gun Runner, who is yet to produce a Derby winner.
Renegade
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Todd Pletcher |
| Career Record | 5 Starts: 2 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 125 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +325 |
Todd Pletcher’s Derby chances will hinge on Into Mischief colt Renegade. The three-year-old is unbeaten in two starts this season, clocking an excellent speed figure when winning the Arkansas Derby by four lengths from Silent Tactic (98 Beyer Speed Figure). Had previously landed the listed Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Only career defeats since debut have come when chasing home the talented Paladin as a juvenile.
So Happy
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Mark Glatt |
| Career Record | 4 Starts: 3 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 115 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +1400 |
Mark Glatt-trained So Happy has been a consistent performer this season, landing the coveted Santa Anita Derby by two lengths from Potente in April (100 Beyer Speed Figure). Was beaten by the same rival in the G2 San Felipe Stakes. By Runhappy, who is most revered for producing high-quality sprinters, casting doubts over his stamina with the Derby in mind.
Fulleffort
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Brad Cox |
| Career Record | 7 Starts: 3 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 110 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +2200 |
Another contender for Brad Cox comes in the form of Fulleffort, who brings synthetic form to the table. The three-year-old was excellent when beating Stark Contrast by two lengths in the G3 Jeff Ruby. That has been an interesting angle in recent editions of the Derby, with Rich Strike taking the same path to success. However, yet to show that quality on the dirt, which would be a major red flag.
The Puma
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Gustavo Delgado |
| Career Record | 4 Starts: 1 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 106 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +1000 |
The Puma provides a fascinating angle this year, having showed stamina to win the Tampa Bay Derby, before battling Commandment to the line in the Florida Derby. Has won just once under rules, but this Essential Quality colt typically shows plenty of fights. However, he is a big negative in terms of trends, having made more than four starts in 2026, and failed to line up as a juvenile.
Silent Tactic
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Mark Casse |
| Career Record | 6 Starts: 2 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 100 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +2500 |
Winner of the G3 Southwest Stakes at the start of the year, but Silent Tactic have form to find on notable rivals. The Mark Casse runner was second when beaten a nose in the G2 Rebel Stakes, before crucially finishing second and four lengths behind Renegade in the G1 Arkansas Derby. Could be a place betting options, but appears to lack the quality to contest the win.
Emerging Market
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Chad Brown |
| Career Record | 2 Starts: 2 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 100 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +1300 |
Emerging Market is one of the most fascinating contenders for trainer Chad Brown. By Candy Ride, the three-year-old is related the high-quality horses such as Gun Runner, Rock Your World, and Hit Show. The colt has won on both career starts, showing plenty of stamina last time to land the G2 Louisiana Derby by a head from Pavlovian on his step up in trip. Inexperience could go against him, but a very talented contender for a trainer that deserves huge respect.
Albus
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Riley Mott |
| Career Record | 4 Starts: 2 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 100 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +7000 |
Albus has progressed under the care of trainer Riley Mott this season. Has won on both starts in 2026, including last time out when scoring a shock win in the G2 Wood Memorial when beating Right To Party. Form looks weak on paper, and the prep he won has a poor record of churning out Derby contenders since 2000.
Potente
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Bob Baffert |
| Career Record | 3 Starts: 2 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 100 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +2800 |
Bob Baffert is back at the Derby this year, and Into Mischief colt Potente could be going under the radar. The three-year-old has exchanged wins with So Happy, beating his re-opposing rival in the San Felipe, before being beaten over an increased distance by two lengths in the G1 Santa Anita Derby. Didn’t look like a Kentucky Derby contender on that previous run, but beaten horses at Santa Anita have an excellent record in the opening leg of the Triple Crown.
Pavlovian
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Doug O’Neill |
| Career Record | 10 Starts: 2 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 70 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +6000 |
Doug O’Neill-trained Pavlovian is more experienced than most in the Derby, as the start at Churchill Downs will be his eleventh career start. Is yet to make a mark at the highest level, and was beaten by Emerging Market in the G2 Louisiana Derby. Has plenty to find based on ratings, and looks more exposed than most in this field.
Right To Party
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Kenneth McPeek |
| Career Record | 4 Starts: 1 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 65 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +11000 |
Kenneth McPeek saddled Mystik Dan to Derby success a few years ago, but his leading hope this year will be a massive price. Right To Party has been disappointing this year, finishing third in the G3 Gotham and second behind Albus in the G2 Wood Memorial. Would be one of the biggest Derby upsets in history.
Incredibolt
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Riley Mott |
| Career Record | 5 Starts: 3 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 60 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +2000 |
Incredibolt is one of the most interesting outsiders for Riley Mott. The three-year-old by Bolt d’Oro was an excellent four-length winner of the Virginia Derby, and already boasts winning form at Churchill Downs after landing the G3 Street Sense in October. Handles the Derby track, and if forgiving his no-show in the G3 Holy Bull, he holds an outside chance.
Golden Tempo
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Cherie DeVaux |
| Career Record | 4 Starts: 2 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 60 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +3600 |
Cherie DeVaux’s yard is improving year-on-year, and their Derby hopes will rest on Golden Tempo in 2026. However, the Curlin colt has looked slightly regressive since landing the G3 Lecomte Stakes on seasonal return. Has since finished third in the G2 Risen Star, and was also a length behind Emerging Market when third in the G2 Louisiana Derby.
Stark Contrast
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Michael McCarthy |
| Career Record | 6 Starts: 3 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 50 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +4000 |
Stark Contrast is a Caravaggio colt, who has won three from six starts. However, his best efforts to date have either come on the turf or a synthetic surface. Was last seen finishing two lengths behind Fulleffort in the Jeff Ruby. Was high-quality on the turf, second in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, but the dirt raises obvious concerns.
Iron Honor
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Chad Brown |
| Career Record | 3 Starts: 2 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 50 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +4000 |
Iron Honor gives Chad Brown an interesting contender in the Kentucky Derby. The three-year-old will need to bounce back after finishing seventh in the Wood Memorial, but he looked interesting prior to that when landing the G3 Gotham Stakes. By Nyquist, ensuring that he should get the Derby distance.
Chief Wallabee
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | William Mott |
| Career Record | 3 Starts: 1 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | 50 |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +650 |
William Mott trained the winner of the Derby 12 months ago, as Chief Wallabee has been the buzz horse in the lead up to this year’s event. The Constitution colt has been posting some eye-catching workouts, and shares form with leading contenders, finishing a close third behind Commandment in the G1 Florida Derby, and was only beaten a neck by the same rival in the G2 Fountain of Youth. A bigger field, and the application of head gear raises intrigue.
Danon Bourbon
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Manabu Ikezoe |
| Career Record | 3 Starts: 3 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | JPN |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +1200 |
Japan’s best finish in the Derby came when Forever Young finished third, but Danon Bourbon will be hoping to go a few places better in 2026. The Maxfield colt qualified for the Derby after blitzing the opposition in the Fukuryu Stakes at the end of March. Lots of unknowns, but the Japanese always deserve major respect on the international stage.
Wonder Dean
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Daisuke Takayanagi |
| Career Record | 6 Starts: 2 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | JPN |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +4000 |
Another Japanese contender comes in the form of Wonder Dean. The three-year-old by Dee Majesty was arguably fortunate to land the G2 UAE Derby after having the advantage of first run. Was easily beaten in the G3 Saudi Derby prior, and looks to lack the class to feature at Churchill Downs.
Six Speed
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Bhupat Seemar |
| Career Record | 5 Starts: 3 Wins |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Points | INT |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | +5500 |
Six Speed is another international contender in this year’s Derby. The three-year-old was dominant over shorter distances in Meydan earlier this year, but showed plenty of battle to land the big-fielded G3 UAE Derby in January. Will likely set a blistering pace, but faded in the closing stages of the G2 UAE Derby to take second behind Wonder Dean.
Check back at VegasOdds to find our Kentucky Derby picks for 2026 at a later date.
